Major changes in China since Mao Tse-tung's death in 1976 include development of a more aggressive foreign policy, easing of political and social controls, and educational expansion. Specifically, China is providing economic aid to other developing nations, permitting debate on political issues, allowing modification of government directives at grass roots levels, and cautiously permitting a new openness. The new openness in education is characterized by allowing university students to study abroad for the first time since the 1930s, reinstating national exams for university entrance, advancing students according to their academic achievement, and giving high priority to building an educational system to effectively serve everyone from toddlers to senior citizens. All levels of Chinese education integrate education for work, citizenship, and character development. Special emphasis is placed on the work ethic and students are encouraged to work part-time on commercial products and spend part of each school year on a work study project. The conclusion is that China's major educational objective at present is to allocate the resources necessary to elevate China's education system into first rank among advanced nations. (DB)